Former Suncor CEO says B.C. pipelines a matter of Canadian sovereignty

By Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press October 15, 2012

CALGARY - Building pipelines to connect Alberta crude to West Coast ports is a matter of Canadian sovereignty, says the former CEO of Canada's biggest oil company.

Rick George, who retired from the top job at Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU) in May following a two-decade tenure, makes the argument in his newly released book "Sun Rise: Suncor, the Oil Sands and the Future of Energy."

George was born and raised in Brush, Colo. — "population around 5,000 people with maybe an equal number of cattle and horses" — but he has long called Calgary home and considers himself a "Canadian nationalist."

Currently, the United States buys virtually all of Canada's energy exports — and that gives our southern neighbour too much power, writes George.

"It's not inconceivable to imagine the United States insisting that Canada alter various standards to match its own," he writes.

"Why would we let another country dictate environmental policy and commercial terms to us? That's what happens where energy is concerned, and it's a breach of Canada's sovereignty when it occurs."

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